Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Goalkeeping Coaching Session - Playing Into/ Over Pressure and Distance Situations

Set Up/ Session Plan

Session Objectives

- Develop goalkeepers' ability to execute appropriate passes both into and over pressure.

- Develop goalkeepers' ability to receive under pressure and make appropriate decisions relating to the picture in front of them.

- Develop goalkeepers' understanding of distances during distance situations and how context relates to their height in the goal and whether they need to protect the goal or defend the space.

Session Design/ Setup (Specific Practice)

- 1/2 of a full size pitch (55 yards total) - groups of 3 working in 22.5 yards

- 6 goalkeepers (in groups of 3)

- 6 sets per goalkeeper

- Repeat opposite side

Session Organisation

Block 1 - Playing Into Teammates w/ Distance Shot Stopping

- The ball starts with the player on the angle, around the 10-yard box who initiates the practice with a first touch (this can be varied) and then passes to the goalkeeper, followed by a press of the goalkeeper from the player.

- Goalkeeper, based on the first touch of the angled player will adopt an appropriate support position to receive and find the highest player through clipping a pass over the mannequin and into their feet.

- Upon receiving the clipped pass, the highest player will dribble inside and strike at goal, in and around 15-20 yards. 

Block 2 - Playing Over Pressure w/ Distance Shot Stopping 

- The ball starts with the player on the angle, around the 10-yard box who initiates the practice with a first touch (this can be varied) and then passes to the goalkeeper, followed by a press of the goalkeeper from the player.

- Goalkeeper, based on the first touch of the angled player will adopt an appropriate support position to receive and find the highest player by playing a driven pass in behind the mannequins.

- Upon receiving the driven pass, the player will drive forward towards the halfway line and look to shoot at the goal. 

Small-Sided Game 

3 v 3 game of football with regular scoring - incentives will be provided (double points) for scoring through each teams' goalkeepers initiating an attacking opportunity via a clipped pass into a teammate or a driven pass over the mannequins and towards a teammate.   

Goalkeeper Focus

- Decisions to take up support positions (near, central or far)

- Decisions to utilise near or back foot when receiving 

- Technique to clip pass into (utilise striking under the ball with the big toe)

- Technique to drive pass over (utilise striking through the ball with the laces)

- Understanding of height in the goal and appropriateness to drop when protecting the goal

Block 2 - Playing Over

Block 2 - Playing Over Pressure w/ Distance Shot Stopping

- The ball starts with the player on the angle, around the 10-yard box who initiates the practice with a first touch (this can be varied) and then passes to the goalkeeper, followed by a press of the goalkeeper from the player.

- Goalkeeper, based on the first touch of the angled player will adopt an appropriate support position to receive and find the highest player by playing a driven pass in behind the mannequins.

- Upon receiving the driven pass, the player will drive forward towards the halfway line and look to shoot at the goal.

The practice will consist of 6 sets, repeated on the opposite side also.